Message from Stu

Music to our ears

Wow, what a great weekend! My wife Kathy and I had the opportunity to go to Bowling Green to watch our bands compete in the state championships. I am proud to let you know that in the largest division in the state, our musicians and performers from Paul Laurence Dunbar captured the state championship, the “Pride of the Bluegrass” from Lafayette High School took second, and the marching Blue Devils from Henry Clay earned ninth! Needless to say, our kids did a great job and represented us extremely well. To get to these levels of quality it takes a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication from our students, teachers and hundreds of parents and community volunteers. Congratulations to all!

Outstanding work continues to move forward with teaching and learning in our schools. I am pleased with the new direction our schools are taking and with the conversations about instruction that greet me everywhere I go. Our teachers and school leaders have been traveling all around Kentucky to visit schools that are achieving at very high levels and to bring back ideas that can benefit our kids. There is a tremendous amount of hard work taking place!

Hundreds of community, parent and school volunteers who have been working since May on our 2020 Vision initiative will be submitting their recommendations at the end of the month. On December 12, 2005 we will have a special Board of Education meeting where our groups will present their recommendations to the school board members. Mark the date on your calendar to either attend the meeting or watch the meeting on Channel 13. I am excited about the work that has been taking place and there is no doubt that our community will be recommending a design for a world class school system. We hope to see you there!

Bands finish first, second at state finals

The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Marching Band has been named state champions in class 5A after winning the Kentucky State High School Marching Band Championships sponsored by the Kentucky Music Educators Association in Bowling Green over the weekend. This is the third consecutive year the band has placed first in the competition. “Hard work pays off,” said Marching Bulldogs band director, Jeff Hood of the three-peat. We spend a lot of time making music together and it’s nice to see that people appreciate what we do and the work the students put into it.”

Lafayette High School’s “Pride of the Bluegrass” finished second in the competition in class 5A. Since the inception of the KMEA State Marching Band Championship in 1986, the Lafayette Marching Band has performed as a finalist in every state championship event. The band is under the direction of Chuck Smith.

Fred sightings

As most of our regular readers know by now, our Fayette County school employees are placing a renewed emphasis on excellent customer service. We have encouraged everyone in our district to put those little personal touches on our work by going the extra mile and showing the people we serve every day that we care about our kids and constituents.

We call folks who provide excellent customer service “Freds,” inspired by the book, “The Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn about a very service-minded postman named Fred. Anyone can be a “Fred,” just by holding themselves to a level of excellence in their work and going above the call of duty in serving the public.

In our past several Stu’s News issues we have highlighted “Fred sightings” around the district, as nominated by parents, students and co-workers. Today I have the pleasure of announcing an exciting development in our quest to be Freds.

Inspired by the fact that the original Fred was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, Lexington Postmaster Clyde Barton reached out to our school district to establish the Quarterly Fred Award. Each quarter, a panel of postal employees, school district employees and parents will select one out standing Fred from all the Fred sightings that are submitted for Stu’s News. The outstanding Freds will be spotlighted here, in postal service newsletters, on Channel 13 and at our school board meetings.

“The United States Postal Service is proud to sponsor the Fred Award, honoring excellent customer service by Fayette County Public School employees.” Barton said. “Our missions are much alike. We are both in the business of delivering vital information. While the USPS delivers information to homes and businesses throughout Fayette County, our public schools deliver information and guidance through the care and concern of devoted teachers and employees. The Fred Award is an opportunity for the USPS to show its appreciation for distinguished effort displayed by those individuals who help shape the future of our children.”

This is just another example of the amazing community partners we have in Fayette County. Postmaster Barton is a Fred indeed! As we hear about or encounter “Fred’s” in our school district, I will highlight them here. Please help me find and celebrate the Fred’s in our school district. Just send me an email, drop a card or call me.

Fred saves the game

I would like to share a “Fred” sighting involving our Fayette County Transportation staff going above and beyond to help in a situation. At approximately 4:45 p.m. last Wednesday, October 5th, one of our girls’ volleyball coaches here at Southern Middle came to the office to check on the status of the bus that would be taking the team to KBA for the volleyball tournament since the team was supposed to be at its destination by 5 p.m. When I called Transportation to verify that a bus was coming, I learned that there had not been a transportation request sent for that trip. Our students and parents waiting to accompany the bus were beginning to think that Southern would have to miss the game. The person who answered my call was so gracious and kind. She asked me to hold for a moment while she checked to see what maybe could be done. She returned to the phone with arrangements made for a bus that would be dropping off another team to KBA to come over after that and pick up our team.

Thanks so much to Transportation for bringing relief to our team, coaching staff, and parents! We appreciate you.

Submitted by Kelli Miller, Associate Principal
Southern Middle School

Editor’s postscript: Kay Castle is the transportation employee who took the call that late afternoon. Upon hearing that she had been nominated for a Fred, she wrote this note to Kelli: Thanks for being so thoughtful, Kelli. I appreciate it but Jesse Baldridge the driver, who is always quick to help out, really did the work. K

Quick to get the job done

We had to send something to printing for a really quick turnaround today and they were magnificent about it — just wanted you to know what a great bunch they are!

Submitted by Kari Kirchner, Professional Staff Assistant
Veterans Park Elementary

Dedicated Fred eases transition back to work

I just returned to work from my maternity leave for the first time this year, and am getting ready to implement the READ 180 program by Scholastic. I contacted Mr. Mark DiMascio on Monday and received a response in a very timely manner. He also made a visit to my classroom today to ensure that I have everything I need in place to make the program a success. Mr. DiMascio has gone above and beyond and I wanted to make sure you were aware of his efficiency and dedication.

Submitted by Sonya Hodge
Julia R. Ewan Elementary

Fred takes a co-worker’s son under her wing

I am the Cafeteria Manager at Deep Springs Elementary School. Last year my husband died suddenly. I am left with raising three young boys on my own. My oldest, Patrick, is in second grade at Deep Springs. The Physical Education Teacher, Megan Wegmueller, approached me one day to notify me Patrick was having trouble in gym. She offered to stay after school on every Wednesday to help Patrick with throwing and catching. This has turned into something Patrick really looks forward to. They now take a walk and just hang out. It gives an opportunity for Patrick to talk if he needs to. She also transports him home. I am very grateful in the staff here at Deep Springs. Everyone here has really been wonderful in supporting me in my transition into this new role of a single mom.

Submitted by Liz O’Doherty, Cafeteria Manager
Deep Springs Elementary School

Hispanic Community Summit to be held

The Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting a summit on “Access and Opportunity Summit on the Educational Challenges of the Hispanic Community” on Friday, November 4 from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Lexington Public Library Central Branch Location. The event is free and open to the public.

Featured speakers include Daniel Rothenberg, author of “With These Hands” and Roger Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Migrant Legal Action Program. Attendees can also take part in two open forum panel discussions lead by educators, representatives, community leaders, advocates for the Hispanic community, and area high school and college students.

For more information call Erin Howard, Hispanic Outreach and Services Coordinator, at 257-4872 ext. 4372.

Fitness Club emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork in game of life

The fitness craze is nothing new at Tates Creek Elementary School, where for the past five years, girls have been invited to join an after school fitness club in conjunction with the Homework Huddle and Creative Activities Program.

“There aren’t as many sports options for girls in elementary school,” said Kimberly Stevens, a child guidance specialist at the school. “The fitness club helps fill that void.”

Once a week, for an hour and a half, 27 fourth and fifth grade girls learn about nutrition and body image as well as taking part in activities like yoga, walking, running and kick boxing. The goal is to draw the girls together through group exercises that are also good for them. “What we really want for our students is for them to live a healthy lifestyle- emotionally, socially and physically,” said Stevens.

Not to be left out, the boys began their own fitness club three years ago. Today, the group has 17 fourth and fifth grade members. Fred Snodgrass, the club’s sponsor said, “We focus on practical living and vocational studies. We also emphasize sportsmanship and working together whether you’re involved in a sport or not.”

Both clubs stress the importance of community service and pick a cause each year to support. Aaliyah Gregory, a member of the girls’ fitness club, said she joined the group “to help people out.” Earlier this month students and their families participated in the Light the Night Walk to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and raised $548.

“I believe the kids got a better understanding of how they can help others and make a difference,” Stevens said. “I hope being a part of this club is something they will remember and take with them throughout their lives.

Take a trip to the Emerald City

Follow Dorothy and all her friends down the yellow brick road during a SCAPA production of the musical “The Wizard of Oz.” The one-hour long production will take place at the historic Lexington Opera House on Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4 at 10 a.m. and noon. The price for admission is $5 per student. Chaperones will be admitted free of charge. For more information contact Donna Rowland at 381-3332 ext. 1102. Public performances will be Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., and Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Advanced tickets are $10 for students, $12 for adults. Tickets are $11 for students, $13 for adults at the door. For ticket information, call the Lexington Center box office at 233-3565.

Nominate a hero

Do you know someone who has made a difference in the community or the lives of others? Here’s your chance to recognize them publicly by nominating them for the Lexington Stories: Unsung Heroes project, sponsored by The Humanitarium and the LexArts. A team of judges will choose 12 Lexingtonians from all of the nominations to be named “unsung heroes.” Winners will be honored with Blythe Jamison photographs to be shown in both a gallery exhibit as well as several traveling community and school displays. The chosen profiles will be exhibited alongside the portraits.

Joseph Beth booksellers will hold a wine and cheese celebration for all nominees on December 9. Joseph Beth will also give each winning “hero” a $50 gift certificate and each winning nominator a $25 gift certificate to be presented at the ArtsPlace grand opening of the portrait exhibit at Gallery Hop on September 15, 2006.

The deadline for nominations is November 1, 2005. To find out more information or to submit an on-line nomination form visit www.lexstories.net.

Save the date

Yates Elementary School is looking for vendors for a fall mall on Nov. 19 from noon to 4 p.m. To rent a booth call Kelli Lehr at 259-0269.

Back to school workshop offered

The University of Kentucky is offering a free, back to school workshop for adults on Tuesday, October 25, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in room 214 of the Student Center on the UK campus. The session is open to adults who are returning to college or to those who are attending college for the first time. Representatives from UK and Bluegrass Community and Technical College will be in attendance to answer questions regarding graduate and undergraduate admissions. Academic advising and financial counseling will also be available. For more information or to register call UK Evening and Weekend Programs at (859) 257-3159 or (800) 432-0963 ext. 73159.

Reptiles, birds and ferrets... oh my!

Join the Living Arts and Science Center for Science Nights, a series of fun family events, planetarium shows and special programs, on the first Thursday of every month. This month, on November 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the center will host The Nature of Color: Vivid Animals, a night full of science and art. Live tropical birds will be on-site as well as reptiles, ferrets and rabbits for children and adults to experience and learn from. Kids can also create a piece of colorful animal art. Art not your thing? Then “star hop” over to the planetarium for some star gazing tips.

The Living Arts and Science Center is a not-for-profit organization located at 362 N. Martin Luther King Boulevard. Donations are requested for attending the Science Nights. The cost is $1 for children ages 5 through 11 and $2 for people 12 years and up. For more information contact Katherine Bullock at 252-5222 or 255-2284.

A note of thanks

The following was submitted to thank everyone for their support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes held earlier this month.

Dear Friends:

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kind support of the walk last weekend for JDRF Diabetes. The cold weather did not stop the more than 500 people walking for JDRF. Thank goodness the rain held off and we had Starbucks coffee donated. The Morton and Southern middle school cheerleaders were a huge success to cheer and warm up the walkers! Special thanks to Garden Springs for collecting more than $1,000 for JDRF – great job! We are praying for a cure! All of the money collected for JDRF go to research! Let the cure be found!

Meredith, Frank and Jane Gettler

Calling all bookworms

The Kentucky Reading Association Bluegrass Council invites everyone to come spend time with Kentucky author, George Ella Lyon on Tuesday November 7th from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lexington Herald-Leader, 100 Midland Avenue.

Lyon will discuss her famous poem and share some examples of the “Where I’m From” poems that she’s received from all over the world. One particularly compelling story is about an Irish nun who shared “Where I’m From” with members in a refugee camp in Sudan. The homeless refugees created their own poems about where they were from, which is even more poignant because of their situation.

Books will be available for sale that night. RSVP to kjohnson1@herald-leader.com or 231-3353.

Pitch in to help fight hunger

Each year Fayette County Public Schools compete for cash prizes by collecting nonperishable food donations for God’s Pantry Food Bank as part of the Kids Helping Kids Food Drive. “This year we have a record 45 schools participating,” said Robert Srodulski, the food drive coordinator for God’s Pantry. “The program helps make kids and people aware of hunger in their community and gets them involved. The food raised through the drive will feed folks in our area for two months.”

You can help wipe out hunger by dropping off food donations into the big blue barrels located at the following schools.

Elementary schools

Arlington, Ashland, Athens, Breckinridge, Cassidy, Clays Mill, Cardinal Valley, Deep Springs, Garden Springs, Glendover, Harrison, James Lane Allen, Johnson, Julius Marks, Lansdowne, Linlee, Mary Todd, Maxwell, Meadowthorpe, Millcreek, Northern, Picadome, Russell Cave, SCAPA, Southern, Squires, Tates Creek, Veterans Park and Yates.

Middle schools

Beaumont, Bryan Station, Edythe J. Hayes, Jessie Clark, LTMS, Morton, SCAPA, Southern, Tates Creek and Winburn.

High schools

Henry Clay, Lafayette, MLK Academy, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Southside Technical Center and Tates Creek.

You can also drop off donations at It’s About Kids Support Services located at 701 East Main Street, the Springhill Drive offices located behind Lafayette High School, or at the district bus garages on Liberty Drive and Springhill Drive.

Last year, the district donated more than 81,000 pounds of food and this year’s goal is to collect 100,000 pounds. The drive ends on October 31.

Hollywood “Dreamer”

Casey Mullett, a fifth-grader at Veterans Park spent time last year working as the photo double and stand-in for actress Dakota Fanning in the movie “Dreamer,” which was shot partly in the Lexington area. After almost two weeks of filming, the casting director asked if Casey would be willing to travel to Louisiana for six weeks to complete the movie. Her job responsibilities were script rehearsal, photo doubling and lighting. “What an awesome time!,” said her mother of the experience. “Casey was consistently praised for her positive attitude and professionalism.”

“Dreamer” opened in theaters last week.

Highly Skilled Educators sought

The Kentucky Department of Education is seeking dedicated teachers, administrators and other certified staff to serve as Highly Skilled Educators in the state’s assistance program for schools. The program places educators in schools that do not meet their goals in the statewide assessment and accountability system. Highly skilled educators act as consultants, working with school staffs to improve teaching and learning. Most serve for two years, but contracts may be extended for a maximum of three years.

About 20 individuals will be selected to participate in the program for 2006-2007. The deadline for applications is October 31. For more information visit www.education.ky.gov or call (502) 564-2116.

Learning + Fun = 24!

Can you use addition, subtraction, multiplication or division to make the numbers 7, 4, 3 and 1 total 24? Hundreds of students in Fayette County are doing exactly that while playing an Internet-based computer math game. And they’re learning while doing it too!

Thanks to a financial commitment from 16 area McDonald’s owners, students at every elementary and middle school in Fayette County will have the opportunity to strengthen their math skills while having a bit of fun in the process with a program called First in Math, which is built upon the popular game of 24.

“It’s good to give back to the community,” said area McDonald’s owner Phil Wilkins. “Math is such a foundation for learning. Many of us have kids in school and we want all the kids in our community to have a fair shot.”

While the program has been around for a couple of years and has already reached more than 10,000 students, new this year is a three-year commitment to continue its funding from local McDonald’s owners. That means schools won’t be on pins and needles each fall wondering if their students can continue benefiting from the program.

McDonald’s franchise owners in central Kentucky have committed enough funding to provide the First in Math program in Fayette and 24 surrounding counties. The pledge was announced last week at a special ceremony at Tates Creek Elementary School, where every student in third, fourth and fifth grade is involved on one of five First in Math teams.

“Students are spending hundreds of hours more on math practicing their computation, problem solving skills and number sense,” said Tates Creek Elementary principal Dee Patrick. “Students are excited about math and that will obviously increase student achievement.”

Top scorers are honored weekly at Tates Creek, where kids compete against each other and themselves to earn prizes from McDonald’s and accolades at school.

“Math is so important,” said Fayette County Superintendent Su Silberman. “You can’t do anything if you can’t do math. When we can take it to a level where kids are having fun and it’s competitive, then the motivation for learning is that much stronger and everyone wins.”

This week's Kudos go to...

Russell Cave Elementary School teacher Melissa Collins. Ms. Collins was recently spotlighted as an “Alumni Making an Impact” in the summer 2005 edition of Midway College Magazine.

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School English and Journalism teacher Wendy Turner, for being appointed to a three-year term on the leadership board of the Bluegrass Writing Project, which is affiliated with the National Writing Project. The mission of this organization is to improve the teaching of writing and improve learning in the nation’s schools.

Mary Todd Elementary student Alexander May, for being one of 360 students nationally to take part in the National Young Scholars Program this past summer at James Madison University. The program is designed to inspire outstanding fourth and fifth graders to explore, invent, learn and think creatively. Alex spent participated in a forensics program, where he studied fingerprint analysis, DNA analysis, evidence collection techniques and other forensics techniques.

Anthony Jackson, Meadowthorpe Elementary School paraeducator and Linlee Elementary School extended school program site director. Mr. Jackson recently won a “Promise Award,” which is given annually to five businesses and five individuals for their efforts in the education, development, and health & safety of our children.

Eastside Technical Center students for an excellent showing recently at the 2005 SkillsUSA Kentucky Leadership Training Institute in Louisville. Students bringing home awards were: Doug Winter, first in reciting the creed, first in the 20 second elevator story and third in the two minute speech; Keli Carmickle, first in the two minute speech and second in extemporaneous writing; and Yehimy Gabriel, first in reciting the pledge. Winners in the opening and closing ceremonies were, first place: Yehimy Gabriel, Michael Reynolds, Ben Newman and Stephanie Armstrong; second place: Keli Carmickle, Anna Stepka and Aaron Wilson; and third place Erin Chenault, Corey Swatsler, Dwayne Buckner and Scott Young. Members of the winning overall team were Aaron Wilson, Doug Winter, Keli Carmickle, Anna Stepka and Cassie Smith. Outstanding Team Member, on the red team was Eli Weir; on the white team was Erin Chenault and on the blue team was Keli Carmickle. Lauren Womack is the state secretary.

Linlee Elementary School for winning the Lexington Legends “Hit the Books” reading contest. Last year students at Linlee participated in the contest through the school’s Reading Counts program and every student who earned enough points got a Legends/Chick-fil-A bookmark they could turn in for two free Legends tickets. Since Linlee had the most students trade in bookmarks, the Legends and Chick-fil-A will treat all students and all staff to special catered meal, complete with mascots from both companies. Talk about a home run!

Leadership Lessons from Sam

What’s open enrollment?

Dad keeps talking about this thing called open enrollment for all of the employees of the Fayette County Public Schools. I had no idea what he was talking about so I asked him about it.

Well, you know Dad had to share all sorts of things with me. He started off by talking about procrastination and how that can be really bad. He said that if I keep putting things off and not getting them done that they will all pile up and when I do get to work on them I can’t do a good job. He said we all have to make sure we take care of our business in a timely manner. Wow, so far I still had no idea what open enrollment is, so I asked again.

Dad said that all employees must fill out forms so they are able to keep their benefits. Benefits? What is that? OK, Dad said that it is like insurance for when I go to the vet. To the vet? I am outta here. Bow wow and hasta la vista.